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First Oral Contraceptive
The Food and Drug Administration approved the first oral contraceptive, also known as "the Pill," for sale as birth control in the US. -
Women's Strike For Peace
The Women's Strike for Peace drew 50,000 women nationwide to protest nuclear weapons. It also drew women to protest US involvement in war in southeast Asia. -
President's Commission on the Status of Women
President John F. Kennedy issued an executive order establishing the President's Commission on the Status of Women. Kennedy appointed former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to chair the commission. -
The Feminine Mystique
The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan was published. -
Woolworth's Lunch Counter Sit-In
Anne Moody participated in the Woolworth's lunch counter sit-in. She also later wrote "Coming of Age in Mississippi." -
Equal Pay Act
John F. Kennedy signed into law the Equal Pay Act of 1963. -
First Women in Outer Space
Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman in outer space, another Soviet first in the U.S. - U.S.S.R. "space race" -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
US President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This included the Title VII prohibition of discrimination based on sex by private employers including employment agencies and unions. -
Griswold v. Connecticut
The Supreme Court struck down a law restricting access to contraception for married couples. -
NOW was Founded
The National Organization for Women, also known as NOW, was founded. It set up task forces to work on key women's issues. -
Executive Order 11246
The Executive Order 11246 was amended by President Johnson. It dealt with affirmative action, to include sex discrimination on the list of prohibited employment discrimination. -
New York Radical Women
The feminist group New York Radical Women was formed in New York City. -
The National Welfare Rights Organization
The National Welfare Rights Organization was formed in Washington D.C. -
Campaign for the Equal Rights Amendment
NOW formed a special committee to launch a major campaign for the Equal Rights Amendment. -
Shirley Chisholm
Shirley Chisholm became the first African American woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. -
Women's Equity Action League
The Women's Equity Action League broke off from NOW. They did this to avoid the "controversial" issues of sexuality, reproductive choice, and the Equal Rights Amendment. -
EEOC
The EEOC ruled that being female was not a bona fide occupational qualification of being a flight attendant. -
"Miss America Protest"
The "Miss America Protest" was organized by New York Radical Women at the Miss America Pageant. It brought widespread media attention to women's liberation. -
Abortion Counseling Service of Women's Liberation
The Abortion Counseling Service of Women's Liberation began operating in Chicago. It used the code name "Jane." -
Abortion Speakout
Redstockings staged an abortion speakout, insisting that women's voices be heard on the issue. They wanted to be heard on the issue instead of only male legislators and nuns. -
"Rights, Not Roses"
NOW activists marched into Washington D.C. for Mother's Day. They demanded "Rights, Not Roses."
